Apparatus for cutting tubes



March 18, 1947. I HERBST 2,417,412

v APPARATQS FOR cuwmie TUBES Filed Jan. 29, 1 3 Shasta-Shoot 1 Jjgj.

INVENTOR HARRY T. HERBST ATTO'RNEY March 18, 1947. H. T. HERBST 2,417,412,

' APPARATUS FOR CUTTING TUBES Filed Jan 29. 1944 a Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR HARRY T. HERBST ATTORNEY March 18, 1947. RB 2,411,412

APPARATUS FOR CUTTING TUBES Filed Jan- 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 1 F nu .l

50 ith 45 Z2 77 if w; :42 P F65 P g; 4F 75 -M INVENTOR 45 HARRY T. HERBST 44 .50 40 35 F ATTORNEY Patented Mar -l8, 1947 APPARATUS FOR CUTTING TUBES v Harry '1. Herbs t, Baltimore, Md., assignor to.

Union Carbide & Carbon Corporation, a corporation of New York Application January 29, 1944, Serial No. 520,246,

This invention relates to apparatus for cutting a tube, particularly adapted for rapidly cutting tubing while in motion, generally during the operation of manufacturing the tube and constitutes an improvement upon the apparatus disclosed in the copendingapplication of Frank C. Geibig, Serial No. 515,507, filed December 24, 1943.

The main .object of the present invention is to provide improved apparatus for carrying out the tube severingmethod disclosed in said Geibig application, which method comprises projecting a stream of cutting oxygen tangentially of the inner cylindrical surface of the tube while the latter and the nozzle which delivers the cutting stream are rotated relatively to one another about the axis of the tube. This severing operation" is preferably accomplished by a blowpipe nozzle positioned to impinge its heating flames obliquely against the outside surface of the tube, and to project a stream of cutting oxygen tangentially of the inner cylindrical surface of the tube to form a kerf tangential to such inner surface and extending through the wall of-saidtube, so that the resulting molten iron and oxides "are blown through the kerf to the outside of the tube,

thereby obtaining a smooth kerf free from imperlections, and leaving the inside of thetube free of slag accumulation, and the tube and nozzle with its cutting stream and heating flames are relatively rotated about the axis of the tubing to extend the kerf circumferentially of the tube.

It is another object of the present invention to provide means for maintaining such tangential relation of the cutting oxygen stream and the tube during suchrelative rotation thereof about 8 Claims. (01. 266 -23) the longitudinal axis of the tube, preferably automatically by means associated with the cutting nozzle and arranged to engage the external surface of the tube in riding contact therewith'so that, regardless of the diameter or roundness of the tube, the cutting stream will continue to cut a kerf through the wall of the tubing and blow the molten iron and oxides through the kerf to the means rigid with the blowpipe nozzle as aunit;

to provide a spring bearing against an abutment on said frame member and urging saidunit about its pivot, and to provide means for moving the blowpipe nozzle longitudinally of the cutting oxygen stream, preferably by moving saidpivot.

, 2 7 Other objects and features of novelty will be,-, come apparent as the following description proceeds, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a-plan view of a carriage for supporting the tube and cuttingnozzles in desired relation for .cutting the tube on the run as it is delivered by the forming machine; v

Fig. 2 is a, vertical transverse section taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the mechanism for rotating the blowpipe carrier and blowpipes about the longitudinal axis of the tube;

Fig. 3 is a section taken along the line 3-,3 of Fig. 2, showing a detail of the gearing for rotating the blowpipe carrier;

Figs. 4 and 5 are, respectively, a sideview and an end view of the blowpipes and their supporting structure, and the mixer and manifold for dis tributing combustible mixture to the preheat flames and the auxiliary flames of the blowpipes,

the casing being shown in section in Fig. 4; g

Fig. 6 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of .a blowpipe support, showingits internal construction,particularly the slide, for mounting the blowpipe support for adjustment to difierent diameters of tubes; Fig. 7 is a section takenalong the line |'of Fig.8; and, I I v Fig. 8 is a section taken along the line 8-.8 of

Fig. '7, these views showing the pivotal mounting of the blowpipe support and the work-engaging means.

. The principles of this'invention are embodied in a machine for cutting a tube into sectionsof desired length without interrupting the continuity of the operation of manufacturing the tubeQas where the finished tube emerges lengthwise of its axis and continuously from the tube drawing or forming and welding apparatus. This machine includes a carriage K movable a suitable distance back and forthalong rails R arranged parallel .to the longitudinal axis of the tube P. A frame member F having an aperture through which the tube P passes, is rotatably mounted on the carriage K for rotation about the tube axis. A plurality of equally spaced blowpipe holders H are mounted on the rotary frame member F. 'Cutting blowpipes T (3 in-the illustrated machine best shown in Fig. 5) are carried by the blowpipe holders H mounted on the rotary framemember F carried .by the carriage K, and are positioned equal distances apart around the path of the tube and so that their heating flames and. cutting oxygen streams willimpinge obliquely against the outside surface of the tube. I

3 desired length of tube section. sever the tube in the present instance, requires 1 only one-third of a revolution of each blowpipe about the tube, whereupon the gas supplied to the i heating gases and the oxygen streams, but not the pilot light, is shut off, the grlppersE are l The carriage K has guides G to guide and center the cutting machine relatively to the tube, and

also has grippers E automatically operable to clamp the carriage to the tube, so that the tube and the carriage with the torches thereon will advance together at the same rate' of speed during the severing operation.

Upon completion of the severing operation, the

grippers are automatically released, the carriage is retracted a predetermined distance. lengthwise shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the blowpipe holder is supported on a base block'l48 which is bolted to the plate 28. A slide 42 is provided with an unof the tube while being guided and centered by guides G, and then is automatically reclamped 1 by the grippers E, whereupon the blowpipe flames are re-igni'ted, the cutting oxygen streams turned 1 on, and the carriage again advances with the tube to repeat the severing operation, which latter is l completed by the time or before the tube and the e carriage together travel a distance equal to the 1 To completely released, and the carriage is retracted along the advancing tube to the next cutting position.

In the illustrated example of the inventionthe I nal axis of the tubeP. The carriage K is mount- V The carriage K comprises a frame H near the parallel rails R are disposed below the horizontal path of travel of the tube P, the rails being horizontally and equally spaced from the longitudifour corners of which wheels l2 are provided to roll on the rails R, the wheels having flanges l4. 1

operate internal clampingjaws 22, which when in engagement with the tube P, cause the carriage the rails R.

r l The carriage K also embodies a casing l1 provided with the entrance ides G through which 1 the tube P passes. centralizing and clamping cylinders 20 mountedon the casing I'l serve to The exit end of the casing H has journaled pipe carrier'frame member 28 having a central 1 circular aperture through which the tube exj tends. The rollers 25 are equi-distant from the longitudinal centerline'of 'the path of the tube,

and center the frame member 28 with respect As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the frame member 3 or plate 28 has mounted thereon the plurality of equally spaced blowpipe holders shown, but a larger or smaller '=three being mber may be employed as desired. Each of the blowpipe holders H carries an oxy-gas cutting blowpipe'. These j blowpipes are severally supplied with ses from 1 amanifold M, which receives cutting oxygen from r a supply pipe 88, and receivesa combustible preheating gas mixture through the tube 8| from a 1 mixer J, the latter in turn receiving oxygen from thereon a plurality of grooved rollers -26, which 1 receive an internal annular flange 2 6 ofa blowlongitudinal adjustment.

dercut groove engaging dovetail sides of the base block. The position of the slide is adjusted by'a screw 43 swivelled in the slide, and passing through a nut 44 secured to the base block, a kick} nut 45 being provided if desired. A stop 46 on the slide 42 engages the block 48 to limit the outward movement of the slide.

e The slide 42 carries a stud 58 on which is pivotally mounted a blowpipe block 52, retained on its pivot by a cap screw 53. .A cutting oxygen supply conduit 54 and a preheat mixture supply conduit 55 are secured to the block 52 and are connected by suitable passages insaid block to the central cutting oxygenpassage and the ad- A combustible gas conduit 85 terminates in 7 front of the outlet nozzle 6|, in position todirect a pilot flame onto the tube P in the path of the heating jets from the nozzle 6 I. This flame burns continuously, so as to ignite the preheating gas jets from the nozzle when such gas is turned on for the cutting operation. The pilot flame is small, and the tube P is generally in motion ex cept during the cutting operation, so that there is no danger of burning the tube. However, the preheating flames from the nozzle 6| are inefllcient due to their disposition tangentially to the tube P, so that the preheating effect of the pilot flame from the conduit 85 is of great advantage during the cutting operation,and definitely increases the cutting speed. As shown in Fig. 5, the conduit. 85zis carried by a lug 86 suitably mounted on the Adjustably secured to the side of the blowpipe block 52 is a tube rider arm 66, having an elongated slot 61 receiving set screws 68 to permit the tube P during a cutting operation and also constructed and arranged to engage and slide longitudinally on the tube When the carriage K is retracted lengthwise of the tube to a succeeding cutting position. By virtue of its constant sliding" contact with the outside surface of the tube, the tube rider 10 through its arm 66 will compensate for surface irregularities of the tube by rocking the nozzle-supporting block 52 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube and thereby will-maintain the nozzle 6| in proper A spring 16 on the rod 14 under the arm 66, bears.

against an adjusting nut 11.

The front end of the Looking at Fig. '7 in which the full line showing is adjusted for operation upon the full line tube P, inorder to adjust the blowpipe holder for the smaller size tube shown in dotted lines, screws 63 and cover 62 are removed, and the screws loosened to permit the arm 66 to slide with respect to the blowpipe block 52. The screw 43 is then turned inwardly, moving the Slide 42 inwardly on the base 40. This moves the pivot 50 toward the tube, but the stud 15 remains stationary, and the rod H maintains its right angle relation to the arm 66. Asa result, inward movement of the slide 42 and its stud 50 causes a downward movement of the blowpipe block about its pivot and a downward movement of the tube rider but the retaining action of the rod 14 causes relative rearward movement of the arm 66 with respect to the block 52. In consequencathe nozzle tip and the tube rider are advanced and lowered to the dotted position, in which the jet from the nozzle is tangent to the inner wall of the smaller tube. After such adjustment the screws 68 are tightened and the cover 62 and screws 63 replaced.

The tube rider not only positions but also protects the cutting nozzle, because any circumferentialor longitudinal irregularities in the. tube which might strike the nozzle, will first engage the tube rider, which slides outwardly, compressing the spring I6, but carrying the blowpipe block 52 outwardly with it. I 7

While the invention has been illustrated and described in such detail as to enable any one skilled in the art to practice the invention, nevertheless it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the precise details disclosed. Instead, the invention is.t0 be construed to embrace such modification of the broad idea as fall within the scope'of the subjoined claims, in which the term tube embraces pipes and other hollow enlongated forms, regardless of diameter, wall thickness, shape or material.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for cutting a tube comprising, in combination, a frame member having an aperture through which the tube extends; a block pivotally mounted on said frame member; a tube rider arm slidably secured to said block for longitudinal movement toward and away from said tube in a plane offset from the pivot of said block; a tube rider on said arm for engaging the outside surface of said tube; and a cutting nozzle secured to said block in position to project a stream of cutting oxygen substantially parallel to a tangent to the tube in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube adjacent the point on the tube engaged by said tube rider,

2. Tube cutting apparatus comprising, in combination, a movable carriage; means supporting said carriage for movement in opposite directions parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube; a rotatable frame member having an aperture through which the tube extends; means mounting said frame member on said carriage for rotation about said tube axis; a movable slide mounted on said frame member and movable toward and away from said aperture; a, nozzle support pivotally mounted on said slide and rockable in a plane perpendicular to said tube axis; a cutting nozzle secured to said support in position to direct a cutting oxygen stream against said tube; means on said carriage operable to rotate said frame member about said tube axis while said carriage moves in one direction; means for maintaining said nozzle in said position comprising a tube rider secured to said nozzle support and arranged to constantly engage the outside surface of said tube during the movements of said carriage and the rotationof said frame member and means for moving said slide relatively to said. frame member and toward and away from said aperture to locate said nozzle for cutting tubes of different diameters. r

3. Tube cutting apparatus comprising, in combination, a frame'member having an aperture through which the tube extends; a slide mounted on said frame member and movable toward and away from said aperture; a nozzle support pivotally mounted on said slide and rockable in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tube; a cutting nozzle secured to said support in position to direct a stream of cutting oxygen against the tube and substantially parallelto a tangent to the inner surface of the tube in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube; means for maintaining said nozzle in said position comprising a'tube, rider adjustably secured to said support and arranged to engage the outer surface of the tube: and means for moving said slide relatively to said frame member toward and away from said aperture.

4. Tube cutting apparatus comprising, in combination, a frame member having an aperture through which the tube extends; a nozzle sup port pivotally connected to said frame member and rockable in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tube; a cutting nozzle secured to said support in position to project a stream o'f'cutting oxygen against the tubeand substantially parallel to a tangent to the inner surface of the tube in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube; a tube rider secured to said nozzle support and movable therewith about the pivot of said support ,to maintain said nozzle in said position; an abutment on said frame member; and a spring bearing against said abutment and cooperatin with said tube rider to yieldingly urge the latter against the outer surface of the tube.

5. Tube cutting apparatus comprising, in combination, a frame member having an aperture through which the tube extends; ablock adjustably mounted on said frame member; a cutting nozzle secured to said block in position to project a heating flame obliquely against the outer surface of the tube and to direct a stream of cutting oxygen against the tube and substantially parallel to a tangent to the inner surface of the tube in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube; a conduit securedto said block in position to direct an auxiliary heating flame against the outer surface of the tube in the path of the heating flame from said nozzle; and a tube rider positioned to engage the outer surface of the tube adjacent the area thereon heated by both of such heating flames and se cured to said block to move the latter and both said nozzle and said conduit in response to irreg- -u1arities of the outer surface of the tube.

6. Tube cutting apparatus comprising, in combination, a frame member having an aperture through which the tube extends; a plurality of blocks pivotally mounted on said frame member in angularly spaced relation about and equidis tant from said aperture; tube rider arms severally secured to and movable with said blocks about the pivots of the latter; tube riders, one on each of said arms, for engaging the tube at angularly spaced points on its periphery; cutting nozzles severally secured to said blocks in position to project their heating flames obliquely against the outside'surface of the tube and to direct their cutting-oxygen streams against the tube and substanti'ally parallel to tangents to the inner surface of the tube in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube adja- .cent the points on said tube engaged-\by such tube riders; a gas mixer mounted on said'fiame member;' and a manifold mounted .on said frame a cutting nozzle secured to'said support in a po-- sition to direct a stream of cuttingoxygen. against member and connecting said mixerto said nozzles, to distribute a combustible gas" mixture to all of said nozzles to supply their heating flames.

7. In apparatus for cutting a tube while the latter is continuously propelled lengthwise of its axis, a carriage movable at the same rate of speed .7 as said tube lengthwise of said axis in a forward direction during a cutting operation and, after completing a cutting operation, movable in a reverse direction to locate said carriage relatively ber to rock in a plane perpendicular to the tube axis; a cutting nozzle secured to said support in a position to direct a stream of cutting oxygen against said tube; means for rotating said frame 'memb'er and said nozzle about said tube axis during a cutting operation; and a tube 'rider secured to said nozzle support and arranged to constantly slidably engage the outer surface of the tube,-

and slidable circumferentially on the tube to maintain said nozzle in said position during a cutting operation and also slidable lengthwise on said tube during such reverse movement of said carriage to locate said nozzle in said position to start a succeedin cutting operation.

' 1 5 Apparatus for cutting a tube while the latter is continuously propelled lengthwise of its axis, such apparatus comprising a carriage mov-"' able in opposite directions lengthwise of said axis means operable to rotate said frame member about said axis during a cutting'operation; a; slide mountedon said frame member and adjustable toward and away from saidaperture; a nozzle support pivotally mounted on said slide to rock in a plane perpendicular'to saidtubeaxis;

the tube and substa'ntiallyparallel to atangent to the inner'surface of the tube in a plane per,-

pendicular to said tube axis; a tu'b'erider adjustably secured to said nozzle support and arranged to constantly slidablyengage the tube, and slid-,

able circumferentially on the tube to maintain said nozzle in said position'during a} cutting 0p eration and also slidable lengthwise on said tube;

and having clamping means thereon operable'to f secure said carriage to said tube for movement therewith in a forward direction during a cutting operation, said clamping means being releasable upon the completionsof a cutting operation to permit movement of said carriage in a reverse directionlengthwise' of such moving tube to locate said carriage for a succeeding cuttin operation; 'a frame member mounted on said carriage and rotatable about such tube axis and having an aperture through which the tube extends;

- Number I Name 7 1,143,677 Winans June 22, 1915 2,125,178 Ullmar -1 July 26, 1938 i 866,866 1 Jottrand Sept. 24, 1907 2,289,968 Jones July'l l, 1942- 1,705,923 Irvin etal. Mar. 19, 1929 1,852,413 Hickey Apr. 5, 1932 1,861,923 Jones et al June 7, 1932 1,879,346 Lawrence Sept. 27', 1932 1,930,295- VonHenke Oct. 10, 1933 2,221,788 Doyle Nov. 19, 1940 2223,45? Jones et al Dec. 3, 1940 1,698,154 Day; Jan. 8, 1929 1,915,912 Anderson June 27, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country 1 'Date a; 800,507 French' 1 July 7, 1936 474,033

during such re erse movement of said carriage to locate said nozzle "in said position to start'a succeeding cutting operation; and-adjustable means for locating said nozzle and "said' tube rider to cut tubes having different diameters," said' 'adjustable means includin meansfor adjusting said slide towa'rdand away from said aperture and means operabletochange the position ofsaid tube rider relatively to said nozzle support. I

HARRY'TL HERBST; 0

REFERENCES CITED r The following. references are file of this patent:

of 1 record in the 

